Westwood Elementary School

Not only have we been extremely satisfied with the academics in the last 4 years, but with the extracurricular activities as well. They have a knitting club, choir, and running club among other activities all run by caring teachers and volunteers. The principals know the children by name. The 'character' education is unbelievable and top-notch.
--Submitted by a parent

The overall quality of the school is great. However there is too much time spent to TAKS preparation and the children miss out on the some of the basic academics.I am sending our last child to private school to avoid all the hype over the TAKS test. There is too much pressure placed on the children to pass this test. If the basic fundamentals were being taught then there would be not pressure. PTO meeting are held at a time when working parents are not able to attend and therefor not encourage to participat in decisions regarding activities. The working parent is not encouraged and/asked to participate in the school functions. Having had a consistant principle over that last 2 years has made the biggest difference in the school.
--Submitted by a parent

Wonderful School with hands on approach that children love. Lots of activities including music, art and PE and extrordinary parent involvement. Very satisfied!
--Submitted by a parent

Academics, parent involvement and teacher communication is outstanding!
--Submitted by a parent

I believe the academics are adequate. However, I feel the school is way too concentrated on the TAKS test and allows other subjects to become second or third hand as a result. Extracurricular activities that could be as educational or more educational than the basic subjects are far too under valued as demonstrated by the fact that parent volunteers are needed to conduct some of the classes if the classes are to be offered at all. The physical conditioning of the children is almost ignored. Parents do get involved but that involvement is not 'nurtured' as well as it should be due to some of the constaints of the PTO. I believe Westwood is a good school. I believe the new Principle is doing more to get parents to feel at ease with the school, yet, I still believe the success of the school is due to socioeconomic factors not curriculum.
--Submitted by JME, a parent

Excellent school with a focus on character building as well as academic achievement. Relies HEAVILY on parent volunteers for things such as reading group, folder preparation, and science lab (which I do not think should be volunteer), however, which is not scare in our affluent community. However, working parents are not catered to with PTO meetings at 0900 on a workday. Music, Art and PE are provided on a rotational weekly basis. Overall, I would highly recommend this school or any in FISD. R. Enochs
--Submitted by R Enochs, a parent

It is a well kept school. Most of the teachers there are loving and caring to the female students. However, I have experienced some negative attitudes towards male students, even if they are good kids. You have to allow boys to be boys. For that reason,I have opted to send my son to a private school. I feel that teachers are not able to truly teach as the administration has placed a great priorty if they children can pass the TAKS test.
--Submitted by a parent

It's organized, they care about the safety of the students, the feedback has always been immediate, the overall staff is friendly.
--Submitted by Ana Saroza, a parent

Excellent school with great parent involvement!
--Submitted by a parent